Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood sat in Sections H and I of the Campbell Grandstands for the first 30 laps of Sunday's Daytona 500. / Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After 28 fans were injured by debris scattered by a Nationwide Series crash Saturday, Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood put himself in their place Sunday.

The president of Daytona International Speedway sat in Sections H and I of the Campbell Grandstands for the first 30 laps of the Daytona 500. Taking in the race where a loose tire and many sharp projectiles landed after Kyle Larson's Chevrolet sailed into the catchfence, Chitwood said he politely declined a beer from a few who greeted him warmly for his show of solidarity.

"I just felt it was appropriate," he said Monday during a breakfast honoring race winner Jimmie Johnson. "I run this track. I'm comfortable sitting in any seat. I thought it was the right thing to do. I wanted (the fans) to see me there sitting with them."

Chitwood said he was unaware of any fans who requested to be moved from the two sections of the stands where the fence was replaced. The track also couldn't confirm how many fans who were treated for injuries Saturday returned to the track Sunday.

NASCAR began analyzing the wreck Monday at its R&D Center in Concord, N.C., consulting with outside experts to examine Larson's car and video replays that might help determine why its front end was sheared off in the wreck. Chitwood said he could meet with NASCAR vice president of race operations Steve O'Donnell as early as this week.

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, whose team supplied the engine in Larson's Chevy, said the catchfence performed adequately by keeping the car out of the stands but added it was important to learn why the front of the car disintegrated. Hendrick said it might require minor tweaks of the chassis.

"Most of the time, the suspension is not going to come out from under the car," he said. "They said they haven't found parts of the transmission and bell housing. It could be in that SAFER barrier somewhere. That was a horrendous wreck. I'm just glad nobody got killed. â?¦ Whatever we have to do for safety, we're all for that. We don't need anyone getting hurt. We don't need fans getting hurt."